23 Aquariums in TEXAS (Serene, Mesmerizing, & Tranquil)
Humans and most aquatic animals do not have a familiar environment type.
To bridge that difference, aquariums and diving mechanisms exist for those willing to be close to the sea life.
As Texas is a complete state with almost all the necessities its inhabitants require, it is home to multiple aquariums with differing concepts.
The architecture, atmosphere, view, and educative structure of the aquariums are worth experiencing, but also, visitors can only have great fun in a standard aquarium with quality services.
To this end, this article explores different aquariums available for visitation and tours in Texas.
And by the way, you may also want to check out the best Water Parks in Texas.
Aquariums in San Antonio, Texas.
1. San Antonio Aquarium (Interactive Indoor Exhibit)
You don’t have to dive deep into the sea to have some aquatic animals nearby; you only need to visit the interactive San Antonio Aquarium.
This 50,000 Square foot indoor space exhibits different fish species, sharks, and octopuses.
It contains stingrays, octopuses, White Cloud Mountain Minnow, Zebra Danio, Harlequin Rasbora, and many other fish and aquatic animals.
Aside from these, birds, lemurs, groundhogs, turtles, alligators, Ilamas, kangaroos, and others can be seen.
Many are interactive; you can pet some animals with two fingers for little tokens.
San Antonio Aquarium also has an arcade where your kids can have their fill of games and fun.
A restaurant awaits you in the corner of the Aquarium in case you need to get something to eat.
Address: 6320 Bandera Rd, Leon Valley, TX 78238, United States.
2. San Antonio Zoo (Diverse Aquatic Exhibit)
San Antonio Zoo is an education and wildlife attraction center in the heart of San Antonio.
Although the center’s title sounds more like it is only meant to be a zoo, it is also a diverse and intriguing aquatic animal on exhibition.
From the tropical fishes, giant sharks, and coral reefs down to the sea turtle, the views and experience in the Aquarium are fun-filled and educational.
The center is also a conservational aquarium for endangered species of aquatic animals from all around the world.
One highlight that attracts many visitors is the Amazonia and the African cichlid exhibits.
The former is an exhibition of the Amazon rainforest, which includes the colorful freshwater fishes, arapaima, and even the anacondas, turtles, and piranhas.
Scenes from the Malawi Lake are brought to visitor’s view in the latter exhibition mentioned above.
The unique territorial fights and courtship behaviors are worth seeing with your lover and family.
Address: 3903 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212, United States.
3. Seaworld San Antonio (Marine Mammal Park)
Several years after 1970, when the idea of Seaworld aquariums was conceived by the founders of Seaworld Parks & Entertainment, the San Antonio Center still adheres to the vision it was founded.
This is a marine mammal park and an oceanarium in San Antonio because of the city’s weather.
Experience the intriguing adventure as you stroll through the fish’s tanks, have up-close views of different species of sharks, and even have an open, playful time with sea lions, dolphins, and sharks.
Apart from the Aquatica, visitors have an entire park to themselves.
There are various rides, fun games, exhibitions, and plenty of food to enjoy.
The atmosphere of an average day in Seaworld San Antonio comfortably accommodates almost all age groups without compromising on the standard it upholds.
Address: 10500 SeaWorld Dr, San Antonio, TX 78251, United States.
Also see our article on Indoor Water Parks in Texas.
Aquariums in Dallas, Texas.
1. The Dallas World Aquarium (Penguin Welcome)
Get welcomed by a group of Magellanic penguins and mesmerizing architecture on a visit to The Dallas World Aquarium.
From there, go through the bird exhibition containing the flamingos, the red-billed hornbill, the scarlet ibis, and many native Central American native birds.
Please go through the rainforest jungle setup and admire the scenery of nature whispering to your ears through its presence.
In this, you have the exhibition of different terrestrial animals like the cheetah, monkeys, and sloths, all healthy and fun to see.
After enjoying this, enter the indoor Aquarium, where excitement awaits you through various aquatic exhibitions.
Many aquatic animals range from ordinary fishes, sharks, snakes, and frogs, to colorful, rare sea creatures.
Create memorable moments on a visit to The Dallas World Aquarium.
Address: 1801 N Griffin St, Dallas, TX 75202, United States.
2. Children’s Aquarium Dallas at Fair Park (Interactive & Entertaining)
An aquarium only needs a limited indoor space to fulfill the expectations and fun one should anticipate visiting.
This is the case of the Children’s Aquarium Dallas at Fair Park, Dallas — although it is not big up to average aquariums, the experience offered is incredible and limitless.
The Aquarium dates back to the 1930s when the Texas Centennial and the City of Dallas came together to fund the Texas Hall of Aquatic City.
Since those years, the aim of the establishment of the Aquarium as an interactive, entertaining, and educative center for aquatic life is still being upheld and displayed.
Expect a scenery of invertebrates, fishes, reptiles, and even endangered fish species you wouldn’t usually see in most aquariums.
Your kids can touch the sting rays and participate in the Dr. Fish interactive sessions.
All in one, this is a go-to center if you are looking for an excellent aquarium to explore.
Address: 1462 1st Ave, Dallas, TX 75210, United States.
Also see our article on Planetariums in Texas.
Aquariums in Houston, Texas.
1. Downtown Aquarium (Train Ride Through Tanks)
The Downtown Aquarium is one of Houston’s most puzzling aquariums, with many educative exhibits and fun things to do.
Start the experience by taking a train in the park to maneuver through the shark tanks and other minion fish species.
Next, you can approach the stingray tanks, and to many people’s surprise, you can touch the stingrays and feel their soft, slick bodies without any risk of injury.
The information mentioned above covers only a portion of the excitement at the Downtown Aquarium, as visitors can watch enclosed tigers play around in the corner of the park.
Families come here in crowds, so the Aquarium provides discounted tickets on certain special days or for several people who visit together.
Before leaving, if you are not being guided, ask for areas with unique fishes and reptiles; chances are you will think the big tanks are what the Aquarium has and would enjoy the views of these others.
Address: 410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002, United States.
2. Houston Interactive Aquarium & Animal Preserve (Engaging Encounters & Attractions)
The Houston Interactive Aquarium & Animal Preserve has many engaging and interactive features, and a visit must be planned well to have a good time above your threshold of expectations.
This preserve has its fun divided into two for your utmost experience: the encounters and the attractions.
Encounters involve live touching and interacting with mammals (lemurs, sloths, and kangaroos), reptiles (pythons and caiman), marine life (sharks, tropical fishes, jellyfish, and stingrays), or the Aviaries (Toucan, Macaw, and other species of bird).
These involve feeding, petting, and even carrying cases of pythons and mammals.
Now to the attractions; after a good view of the sharks, fishes, jellyfish, and other unique species of aquatic life available in different tanks, visitors can have an underwater adventure whereby they will be provided with the proper clothing to proceed into some of the tanks with fishes.
Besides these, kids can have VR experiences, play the arcade, have mermaid sessions, and enjoy more.
Address: 5440 N Sam Houston Pkwy E, Humble, TX 77396, United States.
3. Aquarium Environments (Unique Marine Life Selection)
Looking for somewhere to take your family and loved ones in Houston?
This may be the time to visit the Aquarium Environments for an entertaining view of the marine life and have a good time interacting with different species of animals.
The Aquarium prides itself on stingrays, sharks, starfish, crabs, and various small-size marine life.
Although the Aquarium is smaller than average, the management could maximize their resources to provide visitors with exciting views.
The selection and choices of aquatic creatures chosen are unique and cover the common species people get to see in aquariums.
Many visitors recommend revisiting for a chill time after their first visit on various platforms of dropping reviews and may also point out the excellent services of the workers.
Aquarium Environments are indeed somewhere you should be.
Address: 2909 Fountain View Dr, Houston, TX 77057, United States.
4. Acuario Houston (Standard Aquarium Atmosphere)
The atmosphere of an aquarium has to attain a certain standard for visitors to enjoy their stay for hours.
That is where Acuario Houston comes in as a perfect aquarium for everyone.
It features massive tanks of aquatic animals, including stingrays, different types of sharks, crabs, turtles, snakes, and even little water creatures like seahorses.
Visitors look closely at the facilities, and the blue-themed decorations around them make the experience more soothing.
The Aquarium also boasts extra facilities, including a snack store, a lounge to relax, and different terrestrial animals to sightsee in a nature-similar environment prepared for them.
Frequently, the workers hold interactive sessions with visitors and have kids participate in feeding some of the fish during the feeding period.
Acuario Houston is an aquarium worth visiting if you are in Houston.
Address: 410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002, United States.
Also see our article on Castles in Texas.
Aquariums In Galveston & San Marcos, Texas.
1. Aquarium At Moody Gardens (Ecosystem Diversity Showcase)
Within aquatic life, different lifestyles and environments are familiar to each marine creature in a particular water area.
Here, Aquarium at Moody Gardens brings to your door the combination of different ecosystems outside the regular Aquarium setting and boasts of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, the Green Barrier Reef, the South Pacific, the South Atlantic, and others.
Each comes with a different type of marine life. The most magnificent is the 30 feet tank of the Gulf of Mexico native exhibits, which contains an incredible 1.5 million gallons of water.
From the colorful seahorse, fishes, crabs, Caribbean reefs, angelfish, triggerfish, sharks, and jellyfish to any aquatic life related to those areas exhibited.
The view always mesmerizes, and visitors spend hours covering all the sections.
Address: 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554, United States.
2. The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment (Boat Ride Aquarium Experience)
The common form of an aquarium is enclosed in a tank, but what about having the same experience of visiting an aquarium without the standard enclosure?
Surprisingly, the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment offers a ride on a boat across Spring Lake to have a good time sightseeing the aquatic creature in the lake untouched in their natural environment.
The experience is further enriched by the crystal-clear nature of the Spring Lake and the lack of contamination from outer bodies.
There are guarantees of safety as each boat will be captained by an experienced lifeguard who is also known to host an educative session with visitors.
The tranquility and scenic appearance of nature add more beauty to the ride.
You should try out The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment in Texas.
Address: 211 San Marcos Springs Dr, San Marcos, TX 78666, United States.
3. Rainforest Pyramid (Boat Ride Aquarium Experience)
The Moody Gardens is home to various attractions and is designed to have different subsections.
One of its subsections is the Rainforest Pyramid which features a walkthrough rainforest colony before arriving at an aquarium of the rainforest background.
The experience starts with entering through a canopy-like place, and you will be welcome with the views of Africa, Asia, and the American rainforest.
Also, it contains different birds, monkeys, sloths, reptiles, and tropical plants similar to each environment.
After you are done with the walkthrough, you will have a full tank of aquatic animals in front of you.
It is a massive tank containing seahorses, sharks, and other similar creatures.
On a visit, please bring your camera because you wouldn’t want to regret not capturing this beautiful environment or having a picture of it.
Address: 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554, United States.
Also see our article on Museums in Texas.
Aquariums In Fort Worth & Lubbock, Texas.
1. SeaQuest Fort Worth (Family-Centric Interactive Center)
Good memories are enhanced to be remembered more if it happens in the right setting and with the right people.
Bring your family and loved ones into the Fort Worth super-featured Aquarium and live animal up-close center.
Apart from the sightseeing of the different species of marine life available in the tanks, more of the actions are on the interactive parts of the center.
First on the list for many visitors are the sloth and Asian small-clawed otters’ interaction corners due to the delicate nature of the two animals.
In another section named “Fishes Kisses,” visitors can dip their legs into a tank of toothless fish to help exfoliate the dead skins on their feet.
Snorkeling with Stingrays involves diving into the stingrays’ tanks and having a good time.
Your kid will enjoy this, and all of these will be available on a visit to SeaQuest Fort Worth.
Address: 1974 Green Oaks Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76116, United States.
2. The Great Barrier Reef (Fort Worth Zoo’s New Addition)
The Fort Worth Zoo is known for its fantastic wildlife and exhibition it consistently maintains and improves on.
Part of the new development of the zoo is the Great Barrier Reef, an aquarium on its site.
The project of the Aquarium fully achieves its core aim of establishment by representing the native aquatic species known to the Fort Worth water bodies.
There are a couple of fish and minute water lives to watch out for, all taken care of to the utmost form and with clean tanks.
Visitors who come in usually commend the works of the customer services in place as they are also guided to the history surrounding the addition of certain fishes to the tank.
After a good view of this Aquarium, Fort Worth Zoo awaits your interest in its other wildlife and sightings.
Address: 1989 Colonial Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76110, United States.
3. Science Spectrum & Omni Theater (Science & Aquarium Combo)
For a center to be a combination of science fairs, aquariums, and a 55-foot movie dome screen, you should know the creativity and professional skill put into the center are massive.
The center prides itself as a good aquarium exploration spot for entertainment and education, providing all necessities for a standard aquarium.
It contains stingrays, sharks, and smaller species of fish which are used to enlighten children on how science resonates through every part of life.
There is also a big diagram of different species of sharks to compare their heights.
Other attractions in the center also include various science exhibitions and information programs which children can get involved in during their free time or holidays.
The Theater also has good premium scenery you should witness.
Address: 2579 S Loop 289 #250, Lubbock, TX 79423, United States.
Also see our article on Amusement Parks in Texas.
Aquariums in Corpus Christi, Texas.
1. Texas Sealife Center – Corpus Christi (Animal Refuge & Preservation)
Every human and animal deserves a place to home where they will be prone to little or zero exposure to dangers.
That is what the Texas Sealife Center – Corpus Christi is to the creatures it houses – it is an animal refuge center for creatures without homes or that needs help after encountering life-threatening situation.
The center promotes wildlife preservation and boasts of several odd sea lives and unique variations of fishes.
It is also home to birds and turtles, which keep increasing thanks to the volunteer team who continues rescuing as much as possible.
Aside from all of these, walking through the Aquarium reminds visitors that our environment needs us all and that we should always try to help others, even as humans.
Another take-home is insightful guides about the fish available and how they got there.
It is all a different type of fun.
Address: 14220 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, United States.
2. Texas State Aquarium – Corpus Christi (Interactive Wildlife Preservation)
The goal of the Texas State Aquarium – Corpus Christi is to have a center where people can come together to have interactive sessions with the aquatic lives and also appreciate the preservation of wildlife.
To this end, the center is more of an educative exhibition of different unique species of marine creatures followed by insightful programs and stories for visitors.
From the dolphins’ performances to the mesmerizing otter plays, the interactivity links up with the fun of the Aquarium having close places to view the sea life.
The awesomeness extends to the new splash pad being opened; all you need to pack is a swimsuit and a towel for the kids you bring.
A visit should be unrestricted to the entertainment part of the Aquarium; if you intend to know more about any section, you can call on an official in the center to help you.
Address: 2710 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78402, United States.
Also see our article on Pumpkin Patches in Texas.
Aquariums in Lake Jackson & Austin, Texas.
1. Sea Center Texas – Lake Jackson (Fish Hatcheries & Aquarium)
With operation since 1966, the Sea Center Texas maintains its mandate to be a center for fish hatcheries, an Aquarium, and an educational point to learn about the marine lives of the Texas coast.
The motto “See.Touch.Explore” perfectly shows what you can do in the center.
First, see the colorful fishes and sea life present through the tanks.
Then, you can go to the interactive sectors to check for stingrays, jellyfish, and other fishes you can pet and feed.
From there, you can join on an expository journey into the history and the environment of the Aquarium from an expert.
The variety of fun around is covered by something other than the center’s educative outlook.
Year in and out, visitors say they have enjoyed coming to Sea Center Texas.
Address: 302 Medical Dr, Lake Jackson, TX 77566, United States.
2. Austin Aquarium (Mini-Zoo & Aquarium Combo)
At first, you might think you are in front of a small grocery mall, but when you enter, you will marvel at the beauty and creative setting of the Aquarium.
Austin Aquarium is a mixture of a mini-Zoo and Aquarium, giving it a more excellent rating in the entertainment and fun it offers.
Visitors taking on the tanks of aquatic life can touch almost everything, and they can also join in feeding the fish.
The Aquarium has many unique species of sea life, including seahorses and jellyfish.
When done with that, you can walk up to the bird sections and witness how the ovaries interact with people that come there.
The fun of visiting Austin Aquarium – Austin isn’t expected by most people who pass in front of it—the moment they enter, the moment they get blown off nonstop.
Address: 13530 US-183 Hwy #101, Austin, TX 78750, United States.
Also see our article on Botanical Gardens in Texas.
Aquariums in Grapevine & Brownsville, Texas.
1. SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium – Grapevine (Underwater Ride Experience)
You might have been to various aquariums, but SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium is unique and offers different entertainment and excitement.
First, it has an underwater ride where you can explore the Aquarium by taking a ride through the tanks’ bottom.
You will have all the sea life surfing around in a natural environment and stay close to the glass without risk.
The facility is called the 360° ocean view, and, on a visit, either your kids or you shouldn’t let them miss out on that.
Another thrilling part is that the SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium has many creatures compared to its expected ones, and all of these animals need more space and maintenance.
The center looks perfectly clean, from the tanks, elevators, and interiors down to its rails. SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium is somewhere you need to explore, especially with a kid.
Address: Grapevine Mills Mall, 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy, Grapevine, TX 76051, United States.
2. Gladys Porter Zoo – Brownsville (Botanical & Zoological Spot)
Texas is home to this botanical and zoological spot established in 1971 to foster the preservation of natural plants and animals.
It takes more than 375,000 visitors yearly and contains more than 400 species of animals and plants.
While this is not a full aquarium, the zoo has a good collection of almost extinct creatures and unique fishes, which it has raked up for years.
The center comes with an entertaining and insightful look into the lifestyle of the native marine creatures and how they live.
When you are done with this, you can walk around to the animal sections and have a better fun time.
The zoo is awaiting your appearance to explore its 1600+ animals, all healthy and living in their natural environment.
In Brownsville, this is almost the only high-rated Aquarium outside the regular number of aquarium stores.
Address: 500 E Ringgold St, Brownsville, TX 78520, United States.
Also see our article on State parks in Texas.
Aquariums in Humble & Arlington, Texas.
1. Houston Interactive Aquarium & Animal Preserve – Humble (Animal Caressing & Entertainment)
Are you looking for a spot to caress animals and still have an entertaining view?
Look no further; Houston Interactive Aquarium & Animal Preserve is the perfect spot to explore and have interactive memories with animals.
Walking in, you will be greeted with the beautiful scenery of native rainforest animals by the sides before you proceed to the Aquarium.
The Houston Interactive Aquarium & Animal Preserve has various species and brightly colored fishes, stingrays, turtles, and even minute sea life.
Customer satisfaction is a crucial core aim of the center, and they work towards that more by guiding kids through the Scuba dive gearing and guidance.
Experts also do several tour guides daily to expose people to the wildlife attraction.
Houston Interactive Aquarium & Animal Preserve is a must-go place inside the old city if you’re in Texas.
Address: 5440 N Sam Houston Pkwy E, Humble, TX 77396, United States.
2. River Legacy Nature Center – Arlington (Nature Conservation Focus)
This agelong center was established in 1988 primarily to support natural resources conservation and wildlife attraction and to educate the masses about the biological world around the River Legacy.
The Aquarium is a secondary part of the nature center, but despite that, it is home to various breeds of fish, turtles, and stingrays, all in good condition.
To follow up the center’s mandate, every visitor requests a guide to introduce them to the world of preservation and tell them educative stories about each section in the center.
After this, visitors can enjoy the bike hikes, the 10 miles of biking trails, canoe launches, and custom training periods.
You can host a picnic in the landscape or let your child be in the midst of others in the playscape area. That is a chance to learn a lot.
Address: 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, TX 76006, United States.
If you liked this article, you may also like to read about the best National Parks, Attractions, and Trampoline Parks in Texas.
Looking beyond Texas? Check out our article on the best Aquariums in New York and Florida.